Butler, Watkins Make 1985 Debuts Friday

Two of Broward County`s leading rushers in 1984, Marty Butler and Slip Watkins, will see their first action of 1985 Friday as the high school football season moves into full swing.

Butler, who led Class 4A in scoring (72 points) and rushing (1,024 yards), will lead visiting Boyd Anderson against Ely.

Watkinswill be in the starting backfield for St. Thomas when the Raiders face Northeast at Lockhart Stadium. Watkins, the state 100 and 220 dash champion in 1984, led the Raiders to a 10-0 record last fall when he ran for 1,048 yards and scored 17 touchdowns.

Both runners will be operating behind comparatively new offensive lines, and also new quarterbacks. Butler, a solid 180-pounder, will be taking his handoffs from senior Troy Sterba, a backup quarterback a year ago. Watkins is expected to work behind Walter Wise, a converted defensive backfield standout. Wise, however, has been nursing an injury and may be used only sparingly.

``How much we have improved in our offensive line in a week`s time will be the key to our success against Ely,`` said Scott Quillen, the Cobras` new head coach.

``We have had to do a lot of rebuilding up front and we didn`t look that impressive in our jamboree a week ago. But, the last few days we have looked better. We are going to be inexperienced there, but we have some good people who I feel will be able to spring Marty loose.``

Juniors Darryl Dobson and Dennis Wrightwill alternate at fullback.

The Cobras` defense is supposed to be their strength with seven starters returning from last year`s 8-3 team.

Ely is not blessed with a lot of returning veterans, just a lot of good talent that may take a few games to jell.

Five new head coaches will be making their debuts Friday in a total of 10 games involving 19 area schools. In addition to Quillen at Boyd Anderson, Brian Smith takes over at Western, Willie Dodaro at Nova; John-Mark Carter at Plantation and Mike Brown at South Broward.

All Friday games start at 8 p.m.

In addition to the Boyd Anderson-Ely and St. Thomas-Northeast contests, other top attractions will be at Coral Springs High where Taravella hosts Deerfield Beach; at Piper where the Bengals meet South Plantation; at PAL Field where Plantation hosts Coral Springs; at South Broward where the Bulldogs meet a large Dillard team.